Banks?

[atr42flyer]

So where does everyone like to bank at? i know this is a general question but i start a new job soon and will be moving to montana. my job like all airline jobs will require alot of travel. so i was looking into some national banks.

 

[sleddriver71]

If you want a bank that is everywhere and has a lot of ATM's, and that's what's most important to you, I'd recommend Bank of America. However, if you actually deal with people at the bank, ie getting a loan, or basically anything other than making direct deposits and using the ATM's, I would say find a local bank for those things. BofA tries to have a professional appearence but they are bozos when you actually need their help.

 

[sleddriver71]

Let me guess, you work for Empire?

 

[sleddriver71]

I just remembered, I used to bank at First Security in Missoula, MT. They are a very knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly bank. I don't know if you're talking about Billings or some other place in MT but at least in Missoula that's a good place to bank. Good luck.

 

[frog_flyer]

bank of america fo sho

 

[CitationXDriver]

The vast majority of banks in Montana are of the local nature. Sure many of them have multiple branches, sometimes in other towns. But the presence of nationally known names like B of A and Citi, etc, are few and far between, if at all. Often a person will get better overall service by the smaller banks, but you will not find many ATM's with there names on the front of them.

 

[Way2Broke]

I keep my money buried in the back yard in mason jars. Oh wait, I don't have any money. One less thing to worry about!

 

[typhoonpilot]

Great question. If you do some research you may find that you aren't as free in the "land of the free" as you think you are. Try opening a bank account in Luxembourg or Switzerland and see what they say.

http://www.sovereignsociety.com/

A little over the top and paranoid, but a lot of what they write is factual.


Typhoonpilot

 

[Brasgaucho]

Stay away from bank of america...

 

[DiamondFlyer]

Stay away from bank of america...

I agree, Bank of America is heavily fee driven. I had about six accounts with them until this past January, I couldn't make any money for the fees for everything on the planet. IRA maintenance, checking maintenance, and the kicker is that you can have say $10k in ten accounts which doesn't qualify you for the benefits of having at least $15k in one account. You're required to post a balance of $15k to actually earn you truly free services, that they advertise. I switched my checking, IRAs, and brokerage to Wachovia, BofA made a bunch of good offers to keep me, but I reiterated they should have been making my life less fee intensive for five or six years prior. I have no time for fees... BTW - Wachovia counts your entire banking balance, IRAs, Brokerage, checking, money market as your "relationship" so if you have a little money or a lot it all counts toward truly free banking. This I like, I'm banking with Wachovia for about $50 to $100 less a month in fees and that money is now earning interest (not much but at least I can keep it).